Spotlighting March Awareness Months:

This month includes a large number of "awareness" months, four of which I am spotlighting.

Note: While these are framed as "awareness" months and clearly bringing more awareness is important, it is also important to move towards "activism" months.

• How can we remove the barriers so that these communities can always flourish?
• What laws need to be changed?
• What support needs to be put in place?
• How can we help these communities move towards thriving?

So if you are not aware of these communities, do some research, especially read the stories of individuals with lived experience in these communities. 

But once you have done some research, determine how you can lift up these voices, and then take action to support the holistic wellbeing of these communities.

Holistic as in the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of these communities as well as safety from fear, hate, or harm on personally, community, and global levels.

Women's History Month:

Women's History Month is an annual observance to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. The 2024 theme for Women's History Month is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.”

Note: I use "women" very broadly and include all gender expansive people: cisgender, trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, gender queer, gender fluid, or anyone else who identifies with "Women's History."

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month:

This month is also Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, including all of us who are autistic or have ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, etc. This year's theme is A World of Opportunities, focusing on people working together to remove obstacles to building communities where everyone can do well and succeed.

Note: While this month is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, this is often expanded to include all those who are disabled by society, no matter what type of disability.

Brain Injury Awareness Month:

In many cases, a brain injury can be a chronic condition—not an isolated, onetime event. There’s a significant gap between public perception and reality when it comes to understanding brain injury. Unless someone has lived experience with a brain injury, is someone in a survivor’s inner circle, or is a medical professional who has experience treating a wide range of brain injuries, many don’t understand that there can be recurring and consistent physical, emotional, behavioral, or cognitive effects. 

Self-Injury Awareness Month:

Self-injury is a coping mechanism that arises for many people when they need a physical release of pain or pent-up emotions, or need a way to feel “in control.” This behavior often starts early, with the average age being 12 to 14. For some people, self-injury may only happen a few times, but for others, it can become a habitual experience. Some people in recovery from self-injury consider the urge to be an addiction.

Despite the fact that 17% of people will self-harm at some point in their lives, there is still a cloud of stigma surrounding this topic. Talking about self-injury does not cause self-injury. Feeling shame and embarrassment because of self-injury can actually make it worse.